Trace.



.No. 823,661. PATENTED JUNE 19, 1906.

H J. ANDERSON.

TRACE APPLICATION TILED AUG. 23, 1905.

Wbbmmaa I M W/ I I particularly to what are known as trace-- UNITED STATES.

PATENT, OFFICE...

JAMES ANDERSON, OF HARRODSBURG, KENTUCKY.-

TRACE".

Specification of Letters Patent Patented June 19,'19oe.

Application filed August 23, 1905. Serial No. 275,497 7 7 rodsburg, in the county of Mercer and State of Kentucky, have invented new and useful Improvements in Traces, of which the follow ing is a specification.

My invention pertains to traces, and more eye protectors; and it has for one of its obects the provision of a sectional trace-eye rotector calculated to lend itself to the fleXiility of the trace and permit of the same being placed on swingletrees of different sizes with facility. i Another object of the invention is the provisionof a trace-eye protector which in addition to protecting the eye and prolonging the usefulness of thetrace is adapted to enhance the finished appearance of the trace and a harness as a whole.

With the foregoing in mind the invention will be fully understood from the following description and claims when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in 'which Figure 1 is a perspective view of so much of a trace as is necessary to illustrate the preferred embodiment of my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal central section of the trace. Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the same, and Fig. 4 is a detail view of one of the protectors removed.

Similar letters designate corresponding parts in all of the views of the drawings, referring to which.-

A is a trace'which is preferably formed of connected layers of leather and is provided with two eyes a, designed to receive the end of a swingletree or the like.

B B are trace-eye protectors constructed in accordance with my invention, and C is a link interposed between and connected to the protectors and designed to distribute strain between the two.

The trace-eye protectors B are identical in construction, and therefore a detailed description of the protector shown in Figs. 3 and 4 will suflice to impart a definite understanding of both. The said protector, Figs. 3 and 4, comprises angular sections 6, having reduced and lapped ends'c and pins d pivotally connecting the lapped ends of the sections and adapted to serve the additional purpose of connecting thesect'ions to the trace. The

pins 0 are carried transversely through the trace and have their ends secured at the opposite side of one layer of the trace with reference to the sections b by clenching, as indicated by e, or other means compatible with the purpose of my invention. It will be readi y apparent from the foregoing that the flexible connection of the sections 1) renders the protector as a whole flexible, with the result that the protector does not rob the trace of the flexibility possessed by the leather. From this it follows that either of the eyes surrounded by the protectors may be readily placed on swingletrees of different sizes, which is an important desideratum. While this is so, however, the protectors enable the eyes to retain the trace on the swingletrees.

It will be gathered from the foregoing that the before-mentioned link C. This link is pivotally connected to the adjacent ends of the rotectors by two of the pins d, before descri ed. By virtue of this it will be apparentthat the link without detracting from the flexibility of the trace is adapted to distribute strain between the two protectors when the eye surrounded by the rear protector is placed to receive the end of a swingletree.

While I-have shown my novel protectors B and link 0 as arranged at the outer side of a trace, I desire it distinctly understood that the said protectors may be countersunk in the trace or arranged in any other manner in or on the trace without involving a departure from the scope of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

1. The combination with a trace having an eye; of a protector surrounding the said eye; the said protector comprising sections flexibly connected-together and to the trace.

2. The combination with a trace'having an eye; of a protector surrounding the eye and comprising sections having their meeting ends lapped, and transverse pivot-pins eX- ITO tending through the lapped ends of the sections, and also through the trace and secured to the latter;

3. The combination with a trace having eyes; of protectors surrounding the eyes and respectively comprising sections flexibly connected to ether and to the trace, and a link interposed between and pivotally connected to the adjacent ends of the protectors.

4. The combination with a trace having eyes; of protectors surrounding the eyes and respectively comprising sections having their meeting ends lapped and transverse pivotpins extending through the lapped ends of the sections and'also through the trace and 15 secured to the latter, and a link interposed between the protectors and pivotally connected to the same by two of the said pins.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing wit- 2o nesses.

JAMES ANDERSON.

Witnesses:

H. L. GIBBS, W. T. EWING. 

